The Santorum campaign confirmed it began automated phone calls to Democrats Monday night. The calls said: “Romney supported the bailouts for his Wall Street billionaire buddies but opposed the auto bailouts. That was a slap in the face to every Michigan worker and we’re not going to let Romney get away with it.”

The appeal to Democrats — who are allowed to declare themselves temporary Republicans on the spot Tuesday and vote in Michigan’s open primary — came as two polls showed the former Pennsylvania senator and former Massachusetts governor in a statistical dead heat.

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, are locked in a battle for third place, with 9 percent and 8 percent, respectively, the poll found. Eleven percent of respondents remain undecided.